Don’t Miss Out

You’re all set!

Look out for our weekly updates soon.

Connect with us

Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.

Sign up now for the latest news, top picks for your kids, and helpful tips.

What parents need to know

While this song features a bit more abandon than the typical Swift song, it's still an overall positive song about embracing the moment and having fun being young.

Positive role models

Positive young adult role models know how to enjoy being young without taking things too far.

Violence

Not applicable

Sex

Not applicable

Language

Not applicable

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that "22" is largely what you'd expect from a Taylor Swift song: no profanity or explicit references to things like sex and substance use. Though the song talks about hanging out until the wee hours and includes one mild line about throwing caution to the wind ("You look like bad news, I gotta have you"), it's still a generally fun, positive pick for all of Swift's young tween and teens fans.

User reviews

Parents say

Kids say

What's the story?

Taylor Swift adds to her list of chart-topping hit singles with "22," the fourth single from her fourth full-length album, Red. The song's title alludes to Swift's age when writing it, and the video for the track shows Swift hanging out, having a great time with her real-life friends.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

Taylor Swift's got a musical formula, by gosh, and she's sticking to it in this song. Following right in line with her many singles that came before, this track revolves around a simple yet extremely catchy hook and Swift's sweet while not overly strong vocals. It's hardly an original approach for her at this point, but it will undoubtedly appeal to the legions of fans who just can't get enough of her music.

Families can talk about...

Families can talk about how Taylor Swift can balance being a young adult with all of the responsibilities that come with being a major recording artist and role model. How does she stay grounded?

What can Swift do to ensure that she's able to enjoy her youth while moving forward with the very grown-up responsibilities of her professional career?

Name some other role models who have done a good job of transitioning from child star to entertainment mogul.

About our buy links

When you use our links to make a purchase, Common Sense Media earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes. As a nonprofit organization, these funds help us continue providing independent, ad-free services for educators, families, and kids while the price you pay remains the same. Thank you for your support.Read more

Fun, upbeat song (3.5/5 stars)

While not my favorite, this is another fun song from Taylor Swift. Unlike other songs on "Red", this one is just about having fun (which can be seen as a positive message). The only thing I don't like is the line, "You look like bad news/I've gotta have you" because it's saying it's okay to be with someone who's a bad influence. But overall it's a good song and fine for kids.

22

As most of Swift's newer songs, 22 has a more pop than country sound. The song is good for singing and dancing, with it's catchy lyrics. I wouldn't say that the lyrics really have positive messages, though, some of them being: "It seems like the perfect night to...make fun of our exes", "tonight's the night when we forget about the deadlines", "Everything will be alright if you keep me next to you.", "We ditch the whole scene and end up dreaming, instead of sleeping" and "You look like bad news, I gotta have you, I gotta have you!" It does have lyrics that teenagers can relate too, though. Overall, the song's catchy and enjoyable.

Get top media picks for your kid's age

Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.

Our Policies

Download our free app

Common Sense is the nation’s leading independent non-profit organization dedicated to empowering kids to thrive in a world of media and technology. Families, educators, and policymakers turn to
Common Sense for unbiased information and trusted advice to help them learn how to harness the positive power of media and technology for all kids.

The Common Sense and Common Sense Media names, associated trademarks, and logos, including the Decider Slider and Age Ratings Bugs,
are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization (FEIN 41-2024986).